NAME:
The Genus Crioceras was named by Pierre in 1877 for a species named Crioceras longiflorus. This was originally classified as Genus Tabernaemontana, with the name Tabernaemontana dipladeniflora. After research carried out by N. Halle in 1971, it obtained the name Crioceras dipladeniflorus.

DESCRIPTION:
It is a small bush or tree, 2-8 meters high, belonging to the apocynaceae plant family. It grows in Africa, more specifically in the Central African region; the Crioceras longiflorus is a plant whose alkaloids have opened a vast therapeutic field.

STUDIES:
The study of the different species has revealed the production of terpenoid indole alkaloids with different properties and possible applications. Information on the pharmacology of crude extract and individual alkaloids belonging to the different species has been assembled by Van Beek et al. (1984). These compounds generally possess characteristic biological activities and many of them are utilized for medicinal purposes and for the lead compounds they contain to develop new synthetic drugs. Alkaloids of the distinct species have shown hypotensive and muscle relaxant activity, antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, effects of sedation, decreased respiration, decreased skeletal muscle tone and antibacterial activities.